When the Glass Broke

When the call came
That the shelf broke
And that the jars
Of buttons
Crashed to the floor

No one panicked.

You called to let me know
That the buttons
Were scattered
And mixed with the glass
A jumbled and dangerous field
Of color
Round and Sharp.

When you both offered
To separate the glass from the prize
And told me gently
And sadly
That my favorite pitcher
Was shattered
It was as much
An act of love
And maturity
As any kiss or word
Ever
Bestowed.